Gombe Stream National Park

About Gombe Stream National Park

Gombe Stream is where Jane Goodall began her groundbreaking chimpanzee research in 1960, and it remains one of the best places on Earth to observe wild chimps in their natural habitat. Tanzania's smallest national park sits on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, the world's longest freshwater lake. Budget travellers can reach Gombe by public boat from Kigoma for under $5, and park fees are reasonable compared to other chimp trekking destinations. The 1-hour chimp tracking experience is life-changing — watching habituated chimpanzees groom, play, and forage just metres away. Between treks, swim in the crystal-clear lake, hike forest trails, and spot red-tailed monkeys and bushbuck along the lakeshore.